Allister Miller
Encyclopedia
Lieutenant-Colonel Allister Miller DSO OBE (1892–1951) was a South Africa
n aviation pioneer, who contributed significantly to both military and civil aviation in his country during the first half of the 20th century.
He originally qualified as an electrical engineer. On the outbreak of World War I
in 1914, he joined the British Army
, from which he transferred to the Royal Flying Corps
as a pilot, in 1915. He fought in the skies over the Western Front
in France
and Belgium
, and during 1916 and 1917 he returned to South Africa on recruiting tours for the RFC. He recruited more than 8,000 volunteers, of whom 2,000 were accepted, most of them as pilots. They were known collectively as "Miller's Boys".
On the second recruiting tour Miller took along two Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2 aircraft and mechanics to assemble the aircraft in Cape Town. The aircraft were serial numbers A3109 and A3110 build by the Wolseley Motor Company
. They were nicknamed Rio de Janeiro Britons Nos. 1 & 2 in honour of the fact that they were purchased with moneys raised by the British community in Rio de Janeiro. One 7 November 1917 one of these aircraft became the first to complete a long distance flight in South Africa by completing a Cape Town
to Port Elizabeth flight in under six hours.
After the war, Miller pursued a career in civil aviation. His first two ventures were unsuccessful and short-lived: the South African Aerial Navigation Company, which became South African Aerial Transports Ltd (1919–1920), and Rhodesian Aerial Tours (1922).
In 1924, Miller was elected a member of Parliament
. In this capacity, he successfully lobbied for government support for civil aviation. He gave flying demonstrations, toured the country to popularise flying, and encouraged the formation of flying clubs.
In 1929, Miller founded Union Airways
, as the country's first commercial mail and passenger carrier. It amalgamated with South West African Airways
in 1932, and was taken over by the government in 1934 and renamed South African Airways
.
In 1936, Miller took part in the Portsmouth
-to-Johannesburg
Air Race, held to mark Johannesburg's golden jubilee.
During World War II
, Miller served in the South African Air Force
, where he commanded several flying schools. After the war, he worked as chief publicity officer for South African Airways.
The main road leading to the airport in his home town, Port Elizabeth, is named after him.
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
n aviation pioneer, who contributed significantly to both military and civil aviation in his country during the first half of the 20th century.
He originally qualified as an electrical engineer. On the outbreak of World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
in 1914, he joined the British Army
British Army
The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
, from which he transferred to the Royal Flying Corps
Royal Flying Corps
The Royal Flying Corps was the over-land air arm of the British military during most of the First World War. During the early part of the war, the RFC's responsibilities were centred on support of the British Army, via artillery co-operation and photographic reconnaissance...
as a pilot, in 1915. He fought in the skies over the Western Front
Western Front (World War I)
Following the outbreak of World War I in 1914, the German Army opened the Western Front by first invading Luxembourg and Belgium, then gaining military control of important industrial regions in France. The tide of the advance was dramatically turned with the Battle of the Marne...
in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
and Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
, and during 1916 and 1917 he returned to South Africa on recruiting tours for the RFC. He recruited more than 8,000 volunteers, of whom 2,000 were accepted, most of them as pilots. They were known collectively as "Miller's Boys".
On the second recruiting tour Miller took along two Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2 aircraft and mechanics to assemble the aircraft in Cape Town. The aircraft were serial numbers A3109 and A3110 build by the Wolseley Motor Company
Wolseley Motor Company
The Wolseley Motor Company was a British automobile manufacturer founded in 1901. After 1935 it was incorporated into larger companies but the Wolseley name remained as an upmarket marque until 1975.-History:...
. They were nicknamed Rio de Janeiro Britons Nos. 1 & 2 in honour of the fact that they were purchased with moneys raised by the British community in Rio de Janeiro. One 7 November 1917 one of these aircraft became the first to complete a long distance flight in South Africa by completing a Cape Town
Cape Town
Cape Town is the second-most populous city in South Africa, and the provincial capital and primate city of the Western Cape. As the seat of the National Parliament, it is also the legislative capital of the country. It forms part of the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality...
to Port Elizabeth flight in under six hours.
After the war, Miller pursued a career in civil aviation. His first two ventures were unsuccessful and short-lived: the South African Aerial Navigation Company, which became South African Aerial Transports Ltd (1919–1920), and Rhodesian Aerial Tours (1922).
In 1924, Miller was elected a member of Parliament
Parliament of South Africa
The Parliament of South Africa is South Africa's legislature and under the country's current Constitution is composed of the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces....
. In this capacity, he successfully lobbied for government support for civil aviation. He gave flying demonstrations, toured the country to popularise flying, and encouraged the formation of flying clubs.
In 1929, Miller founded Union Airways
Union Airways
Union Airways of South Africa was the first South African commercial airline. It operated as an independent company for five years, from 1929 to 1934, before being taken over by the government as South African Airways.-History:...
, as the country's first commercial mail and passenger carrier. It amalgamated with South West African Airways
South West African Airways
South West African Airways was the first commercial air service in South West Africa . It operated from 1930 until 1935, when it was taken over by South African Airways.-History:...
in 1932, and was taken over by the government in 1934 and renamed South African Airways
South African Airways
South African Airways is the national flag carrier and largest airline of South Africa, with headquarters in Airways Park on the grounds of OR Tambo International Airport in Kempton Park, Ekurhuleni, Gauteng. The airline flies to 36 destinations worldwide from its hub at OR Tambo International...
.
In 1936, Miller took part in the Portsmouth
Portsmouth
Portsmouth is the second largest city in the ceremonial county of Hampshire on the south coast of England. Portsmouth is notable for being the United Kingdom's only island city; it is located mainly on Portsea Island...
-to-Johannesburg
Johannesburg
Johannesburg also known as Jozi, Jo'burg or Egoli, is the largest city in South Africa, by population. Johannesburg is the provincial capital of Gauteng, the wealthiest province in South Africa, having the largest economy of any metropolitan region in Sub-Saharan Africa...
Air Race, held to mark Johannesburg's golden jubilee.
During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Miller served in the South African Air Force
South African Air Force
The South African Air Force is the air force of South Africa, with headquarters in Pretoria. It is the world's second oldest independent air force, and its motto is Per Aspera Ad Astra...
, where he commanded several flying schools. After the war, he worked as chief publicity officer for South African Airways.
The main road leading to the airport in his home town, Port Elizabeth, is named after him.